title: Quantification of chromatin condensation level by image processing.
abstract: The level of chromatin condensation is related to the silencing/activation of chromosomal territories and therefore impacts on gene expression. Chromatin condensation changes during cell cycle, progression and differentiation, and is influenced by various physicochemical and epigenetic factors. This study describes a validated experimental technique to quantify chromatin condensation. A novel image processing procedure is developed using Sobel edge detection to quantify the level of chromatin condensation from nuclei images taken by confocal microscopy. The algorithm was developed in MATLAB and used to quantify different levels of chromatin condensation in chondrocyte nuclei achieved through alteration in osmotic pressure. The resulting chromatin condensation parameter (CCP) is in good agreement with independent multi-observer qualitative visual assessment. This image processing technique thereby provides a validated unbiased parameter for rapid and highly reproducible quantification of the level of chromatin condensation.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, London, United Kingdom. Electronic address: j.irianto@qmul.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Irianto
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary, University of London, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Martin M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Knight
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D019902:Chondrocytes / Q000166:cytology; D002843:Chromatin / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin
keywords: Chromatin condensation; Image processing; Image quantification; MATLAB; Sobel edge detection algorithm